These are some of the key events in the women's rights movement. It includes the formation of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the FDA approval of birth control pills, the establishment of legal abortion, and the first lesbian organization.
1921
Margaret Sanger founds the American Birth Control League, which evolves into the Planned ParenthoodFederation of America in 1942.
1935
Mary McLeod Bethune organizes the National
Council of Negro Women, a coalition of black women's groups that lobbies against job discrimination, racism, and sexism.
1936
The federal law prohibiting the dissemination of contraceptive information
through the mail is modified and birth controlinformation is no longer classified as obscene. Throughout the 1940s and 50s, birth control advocates are engaged in numerous legal suits.
1955
The Daughters of Bilitis (DOB), the first lesbian organization in the United
States, is founded. Although DOB originated as a social group, it later
developed into a political organization to win basic acceptance for lesbians in
the United States.
1960
The Food and Drug Administration approves birth control pills.
1961
President John Kennedy establishes the President's Commission on the Status of Women and appoints Eleanor Roosevelt as chairwoman. The report issued by the Commission in 1963 documents substantial discrimination against women in the workplace and makes specific recommendations for improvement, including fair hiring practices, paid maternity leave, and affordable child care.
1963
Betty Friedan publishes her highly influential book The Feminine Mystique, which describes the dissatisfaction felt by middle-class American housewives with the narrow role imposed on them by society. The book becomes a best-seller and galvanizes the modern women's rights movement.
June 10
Congress passes the Equal Pay Act, making it illegal for employers
to pay a woman less than what a man would receive for the same
job.
1964
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act bars discrimination in employment on the basis of race and sex. At the same time it establishes the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to investigate complaints and impose penalties.
1965
In Griswold v. Connecticut, the Supreme Court strikes down the one remaining
state law prohibiting the use of contraceptives by married couples.
1966
The National Organization for Women (NOW) is founded by a group of feminists
including Betty Friedan. The largest women's rights group in the U.S., NOW
seeks to end sexual discrimination, especially in the workplace, by means of
legislative lobbying, litigation, and public demonstrations.
1967
Executive Order 11375 expands President Lyndon Johnson's affirmative action policy of 1965 to cover discrimination based on gender. As a result, federal agencies and contractors must take active measures to ensure that women as well as minorities enjoy the same educational and employment opportunities as white males.
1968
The EEOC rules that sex-segregated help wanted ads
in newspapers are illegal. This ruling is upheld in 1973 by the Supreme Court,
opening the way for women to apply for higher-paying jobs hitherto open only to
men.
1969
California becomes the first state to adopt a "no fault" divorce law, which allows couples to divorce by mutual consent. By 1985 every state has adopted a similar law. Laws are also passed regarding the equal division of common property.
1970
In Schultz v. Wheaton Glass Co., a U.S. Court of Appeals
rules that jobs held by men and women need to be "substantially equal" but not
"identical" to fall under the protection of the Equal Pay Act, an employer cannot, for example,
change the job titles of women workers in order to pay them less than
men.
1971
Ms. Magazine is first published as a sample insert in New York
magazine; 300,000 copies are sold out in 8 days. The first regular issue is
published in July 1972. The magazine becomes the major forum for feminist
voices, and cofounder and editor Gloria Steinem is launched as an icon of the
modern feminist movement.
1972
Mar. 22
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is passed by congress and sent to the states for ratification.
Originally drafted by Alice Paul in 1923, the amendment reads: "Equality of
rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by
any State on account of sex." The amendment died in 1982 when it failed to
achieve ratification by a minimum of 38 states.
Also on Mar. 22
In Eisenstadt v. Baird the Supreme Court rules that the
right to privacy includes an unmarried person's right to use
contraceptives.
June 23
Title IX of the Education Amendments bans sex discrimination in schools. It
states: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded
from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to
discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal
financial assistance." As a result of Title IX, the enrollment of women in
athletics programs and professional schools increases
dramatically.
1973
As a result of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court
establishes a woman's right to safe and legal abortion, overriding the
anti-abortion laws of many states.
1974
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits discrimination in consumer credit
practices on the basis of sex, race, marital status, religion, national origin,
age, or receipt of public assistance.
In Corning Glass Works v. Brennan, the U.S. Supreme Court
rules that employers cannot justify paying women lower wages because that is
what they traditionally received under the "going market rate." A wage
differential occurring "simply because men would not work at the low rates paid
women" is unacceptable.
1976
The first marital rape law is enacted in Nebraska making it illegal for a husband to
rape his wife.
1978
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act bans employment discrimination against
pregnant women. Under the Act, a woman cannot be fired or denied a job or a
promotion because she is or may become pregnant, nor can she be forced to take a pregnancy leave if she is willing and able to work.
1921
Margaret Sanger founds the American Birth Control League, which evolves into the Planned ParenthoodFederation of America in 1942.
1935
Mary McLeod Bethune organizes the National
Council of Negro Women, a coalition of black women's groups that lobbies against job discrimination, racism, and sexism.
1936
The federal law prohibiting the dissemination of contraceptive information
through the mail is modified and birth controlinformation is no longer classified as obscene. Throughout the 1940s and 50s, birth control advocates are engaged in numerous legal suits.
1955
The Daughters of Bilitis (DOB), the first lesbian organization in the United
States, is founded. Although DOB originated as a social group, it later
developed into a political organization to win basic acceptance for lesbians in
the United States.
1960
The Food and Drug Administration approves birth control pills.
1961
President John Kennedy establishes the President's Commission on the Status of Women and appoints Eleanor Roosevelt as chairwoman. The report issued by the Commission in 1963 documents substantial discrimination against women in the workplace and makes specific recommendations for improvement, including fair hiring practices, paid maternity leave, and affordable child care.
1963
Betty Friedan publishes her highly influential book The Feminine Mystique, which describes the dissatisfaction felt by middle-class American housewives with the narrow role imposed on them by society. The book becomes a best-seller and galvanizes the modern women's rights movement.
June 10
Congress passes the Equal Pay Act, making it illegal for employers
to pay a woman less than what a man would receive for the same
job.
1964
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act bars discrimination in employment on the basis of race and sex. At the same time it establishes the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to investigate complaints and impose penalties.
1965
In Griswold v. Connecticut, the Supreme Court strikes down the one remaining
state law prohibiting the use of contraceptives by married couples.
1966
The National Organization for Women (NOW) is founded by a group of feminists
including Betty Friedan. The largest women's rights group in the U.S., NOW
seeks to end sexual discrimination, especially in the workplace, by means of
legislative lobbying, litigation, and public demonstrations.
1967
Executive Order 11375 expands President Lyndon Johnson's affirmative action policy of 1965 to cover discrimination based on gender. As a result, federal agencies and contractors must take active measures to ensure that women as well as minorities enjoy the same educational and employment opportunities as white males.
1968
The EEOC rules that sex-segregated help wanted ads
in newspapers are illegal. This ruling is upheld in 1973 by the Supreme Court,
opening the way for women to apply for higher-paying jobs hitherto open only to
men.
1969
California becomes the first state to adopt a "no fault" divorce law, which allows couples to divorce by mutual consent. By 1985 every state has adopted a similar law. Laws are also passed regarding the equal division of common property.
1970
In Schultz v. Wheaton Glass Co., a U.S. Court of Appeals
rules that jobs held by men and women need to be "substantially equal" but not
"identical" to fall under the protection of the Equal Pay Act, an employer cannot, for example,
change the job titles of women workers in order to pay them less than
men.
1971
Ms. Magazine is first published as a sample insert in New York
magazine; 300,000 copies are sold out in 8 days. The first regular issue is
published in July 1972. The magazine becomes the major forum for feminist
voices, and cofounder and editor Gloria Steinem is launched as an icon of the
modern feminist movement.
1972
Mar. 22
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is passed by congress and sent to the states for ratification.
Originally drafted by Alice Paul in 1923, the amendment reads: "Equality of
rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by
any State on account of sex." The amendment died in 1982 when it failed to
achieve ratification by a minimum of 38 states.
Also on Mar. 22
In Eisenstadt v. Baird the Supreme Court rules that the
right to privacy includes an unmarried person's right to use
contraceptives.
June 23
Title IX of the Education Amendments bans sex discrimination in schools. It
states: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded
from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to
discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal
financial assistance." As a result of Title IX, the enrollment of women in
athletics programs and professional schools increases
dramatically.
1973
As a result of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court
establishes a woman's right to safe and legal abortion, overriding the
anti-abortion laws of many states.
1974
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits discrimination in consumer credit
practices on the basis of sex, race, marital status, religion, national origin,
age, or receipt of public assistance.
In Corning Glass Works v. Brennan, the U.S. Supreme Court
rules that employers cannot justify paying women lower wages because that is
what they traditionally received under the "going market rate." A wage
differential occurring "simply because men would not work at the low rates paid
women" is unacceptable.
1976
The first marital rape law is enacted in Nebraska making it illegal for a husband to
rape his wife.
1978
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act bans employment discrimination against
pregnant women. Under the Act, a woman cannot be fired or denied a job or a
promotion because she is or may become pregnant, nor can she be forced to take a pregnancy leave if she is willing and able to work.